Charlie's Kitchen — Restaurant in Cambridge

I adore Charlie's. It hasn't changed much in the many years I've been going, about a decade now. At night it's dim and red, it's got an incredibly charming diner aesthetic. And it's a place I believe nearly anyone can feel comfortable no matter age, appearance, or interests. The one downstairs bathroom is a little difficult if there's any wait but honestly I feel it adds to the experience - Charlie's is doing it's best with what it's got.

The 4 stars may be a little petty on my part. I recently discovered they got rid of the Hawaiian burger. I can understand that calling something Hawaiian just because it has pineapple may be problematic, but this burger was just the best and ultimately why I go to Charlie's. If it's about the name just call it something else, like sugar and spice. The regular burger I ended up with when last I went was fine, but that amazing sauce with the pineapple, it was just incredible. I really hope they bring it back. I still like the atmosphere, but when a place becomes associated with a special food in a city with a lot of other unique and wonderful food to compete with it's tough to stick it out for a menu that lost it's star. But I'd guess the vast majority of people probably aren't into it.

All in all if you want a comfortable and charming diner with good bartenders and tasty basics check...

I visited a restaurant called Charlie's Kitchen in Boston last week. I went in because they mentioned having craft bowls of ramen available. I was told they were sold out. As a ramen enthusiast I asked to speak to the chef to learn more about their process and share in my hobby. The owner, David, came out and told me that he may have another bowl in the back and he would prepare it for me. Once served we begin to talk about noodle making, broth, and other good ramen spots that I tried on my current trip to the area. After bringing up one shop in particular, Yume Wo Katare, David began to disparage the restaurant and their team. It was extremely off putting as a customer to hear these types of comments after learning that he used to work there. He claimed that he helped open and run Yume and that he left because they had, "gotten lazy" and were serving an inferior product. He proceeded to tell me that he was also serving their "original recipe" at Charlie's kitchen on occasion. I mentioned that I had a great experience at Yume to which David replied that, unlike them, he doesn’t cut corners, yet here I was being served a bowl with store bought noodles. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony. All in all the food was ok, the owner was...

I realy enjoy going to Charlie's every once in a while. It's been a place of gathering for different groups of my friends since I've moved to the Allston area. It's not too far from the T or local buses which is helpful when you're going hard. Their outdoor patio is good in the Summer, Spring and even parts of the Fall when they wip out their wood burning stove! I've had a book club meeting upstairs, a meeting of old friends downstairs and a girls night on the patio all good times. Their taps are cheap at $5.50 a cup, who can go wrong with some Brooklyn Lager for $5.50. This is of course coming from a NYer (don't judge me). The staff is pretty friendly and they always have a descent group of people. It's a lil less divey that most dive bars but the dim lighting and patio bathroom covered in bumper stickers and graffiti do it dive justice. You can get a mixed crowd in there - from Harvard students, to regulars, young professionals, international folks, and randos off the street. Last night I tried their crab cakes for the first time - delish for only $10 and it includes cole slaw and fries on the side. Try it, it might be the right place for you - if you like dive...